Explosive.



GERSHOM MOORE PETERS, OF CINCINNA KINGS MILLS, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THOHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TI, AND MILTON FLETCHER LINDSLEY, OF E KING POWDER COMPANY, OFCINCINNATI,

EXPLOSIVE.

No Drawing.

and State of Ohio, both citizens of the 5 United States, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Explosives, of

which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The invention relates to explosives designed as substitutes for dynamiteof ap proximately 70% to 80% strength. mite, which is the most generallyknown and used of high explosives, is objectionable in many respects. Itfreezes at forty-five degrees temperature, and when frozen is notexplosive or capable of being detonated, but must be thawed out beforeusing, which is a very troublesome operation, and also very dangerous.Many serious accidents have resulted from the use of dynamite on thisaccount. In hot weather, the nitro-glycerin in the dynamite is liable toexude from the absorbent, which causes great risk and uncertainty inhandling it. If dynamite be not properly made and properly neutralized,a condition which is very likely to result because of ignorant orcareless employees, decomposition is likely to set in, resultinfrequently in most frightful accidents. Then again, a sudden jolt or jarmay set off the best dynamite, often Without any cause or explanation.All these objectionable features are intensified as the per cents. ofstrength are increased, so that when dynamite is made to contain arelatively large amount of nitroglycerin it exudes more readily, is moresensitive, and is much more powerful in its destructive energy.

Dynamite, in its higher per cents. of strength, is also very violent andvery shattering and destructive in its effects. It cannot be firedwithout serious damage and injury to a mine. Often in open air. theconcussion is such as to endanger life and building, and to beexceedingly annoying because of flying fragments, shocks to the earthand air, and loud reports. Black powder is also objectionable for manyreasons. It cannot be used in hard and diflicult work as it is not ofsuflicient strength. In mining operations, when a charge is increased inorder to get additional strength,

Dyna- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 6, 1907. Serial No. 377,490.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

it not only badly shatters the coal, but throws down the roof, sides andtimbers by its concussion. It also produces a great deal of smoke andoffensive gas, which interferes With the work going on, and on accountof the large amount of flame it generates, it is liable also to set offthe natural gas which collects in mines and so produce great destructionof life and property.

It is the object of the invention to furnish an explosive of the higheststrength, which shall be safe to handle and transport, which will notfreeze, or exude, or spontaneously detonate, will be adapted to do themost difiicult work in blasting, which is practically flameless,comparatlvely noiseless and smokeless, which will not emit injurious andoffensive gases, and which will not be objectionable because of theshattering or throwing of fragments, or the causing of disturbances byconcussion at points distant from the place of blasting.

The preferred formula contains the following ingredients insubstantially the proportions stated:

Nitrate of ammonia 30% Nitro-cellulose 30% Chlorate of potassium 30%Mirbane oil 10% This formula, when the ingredients are of normalstrength and quality and prop erly combined and fired, will produceabout three fourths the explosive effect of a like quantity by weight ofthe commonly termed 75% dynamite.

Nitrate of ammonia, being very rich in gas, is a powerful explosive, asalso is nitrocellulose. Nitro-cellulose is readily sensitive todetonation, besides furnishing the carbon necessary for completingcombustion. Chlorate of potassium is both highly explosive anddetonative. Mirbane oil is also explosive and detonative, besidesfurnishing by means of its oily substance, a protection to the otheringredients from the deteriorating eifects both of moisture andatmosphere. It also gives a plastic consistency to the explosive whenformed in mass, by which it may be more easily handled and packed incartridges.

The nitro-cellulose is preferably made of wood pulp reduced to dust,nitrated, and

thoroughly neutralized and dried. The

nitrate of ammonia and the chlorate of potassium are also thoroughlypulverized and dried. proportions substantially as stated are thenthrown together in a mixer, such as commonly used for this purpose. Themirloane oil, in substantially the proportion stated, is then pouredover these materials in the mixer, after Which all are thoroughly mixedor incorporated into a homogeneous sub stance which rendered plastic bythe aid of the mirloane oil. The mass of explosive thus formed is thenpacked in cartridges or paper containers, which are thoroughlyWater-proofed and carefully sealed. It is then ready for use and may beeasily detonated by the ordinary primer used in firing dynamite.

This explosive has been found in actual use to be not only very powerfulbut very safe to handle, is free from danger of explosion by fire, emitslittle or no flame, smoke or gas, and causes comparatively little reportor concussion.

These two ingredients in the We claim:

1. An explosive compound consisting of a thorough intermixture ofapproximately thirty per cent. of nitrate of ammonia, thirty per cent.of nitro cellulose, thirty per cent. of chlorate of potassium, and tenper cent. of mirbane oil.

2. An explosive compound consisting of an interinixture of nitrate ofammonia, nitrocellulose and chlorate of potassium in substantially equalproportions, With mirloane oil in sufficient quantity to render theWhole plastic.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification, inthe presence of the subscribing Witnesses, on this 3d day of June A. D.1907.

GERSHOM MOORE PETE-RS. MILTON FLETCHER LINDSLEY.

Witnesses:

ELnoN R. JAMES, A. M. BEEKLEY, En FROHLIGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

